Oxygen scavenging system for a container

ABSTRACT

A container having a hydrogen generator and catalyst disposed or otherwise incorporated in components of the container. The container further comprises a system for providing at least a portion of the hydrogen generator and/or catalyst in an area defined within the closure of the container for improved performance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/358,456, filed on Jun. 25, 2010. The entire disclosure of the aboveapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to containers for retaining acommodity, such as a solid or liquid commodity. More specifically, thisdisclosure relates to a container having being suitable for receiving anoxygen scavenging system, such as a hydrogen generator and/or catalyst.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

As a result of environmental and other concerns, plastic containers,more specifically polyester and even more specifically polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) containers are now being used more than ever topackage numerous commodities previously supplied in glass containers.Manufacturers and fillers, as well as consumers, have recognized thatPET containers are lightweight, inexpensive, recyclable andmanufacturable in large quantities.

Blow-molded plastic containers have become commonplace in packagingnumerous commodities. PET is a crystallizable polymer, meaning that itis available in an amorphous form or a semi-crystalline form. Theability of a PET container to maintain its material integrity relates tothe percentage of the PET container in crystalline form, also known asthe “crystallinity” of the PET container. The following equation definesthe percentage of crystallinity as a volume fraction:

${\% \mspace{14mu} {Crystallinity}} = {\left( \frac{\rho - \rho_{a}}{\rho_{c} - \rho_{a}} \right) \times 100}$

where p is the density of the PET material; pa is the density of pureamorphous PET material (1.333 g/cc); and pc is the density of purecrystalline material (1.455 g/cc).

Unfortunately, PET is a poor barrier to oxygen. One of the main factorsthat limit the shelf life of foods and beverages (herein known as“fills”) in PET containers is the ingress of oxygen through the walls ofthe container followed by oxidation of the fill. Many strategies havebeen employed to reduce the amount of oxygen in contact with food in PETcontainers. Some strategies include headspace replacement, whichreplaces oxygen in the headspace during packaging with an inert gas,such as N2 or C02. Alternative strategies include using package barriercoatings, such as chemical vapor deposited (CVD) aluminum or silicon.Still further, some strategies include the use of embedded barrierlayers, such as multilayer packages, or PET barrier additives thatcreate physical barriers to oxygen diffusion through the packaging(e.g., nylon, nanoclays). Finally, some strategies have used oxygenscavengers that react with oxygen in a predetermined way (e.g.,oxidizable plastics, hydrogen gas, reactive metals & organic molecules)to minimize its effect, which usually requires the use of a catalyst.

An example of oxygen reducing technology is available from ColorMatrix(International Publication Number WO 2008/090354 A1, which is herebyincorporated by reference). The technology involves the slow release ofhydrogen from the container using a hydrogen generator. The hydrogensubsequently reacts with oxygen in the presence of a metal catalyst tocreate water. Hydrogen that does not react with oxygen will slowlypermeate out of the container.

However, the ColorMatrix system is predicated on the chemical reactionbetween the hydrogen generator, such as sodium borohydride, and acatalyst. Due to the need for water, in some embodiments, for thegeneration of the molecular hydrogen, placement of the sodiumborohydride and water in the container can be critical. However, in someapplication, placement of the sodium borohydride, such as in the closureor closure shell of the container, may limit the amount of water (i.e.moisture) reacting with the compound (i.e. sodium borohydride) becauseother components used in the container, namely HDPE and PP, may behydrophobic and, thus, limit the permeability of water.

Container manufacturers use mechanical processing and thermal processingto increase the PET polymer crystallinity of a container. Mechanicalprocessing involves orienting the amorphous material to achieve strainhardening. This processing commonly involves stretching an injectionmolded PET preform along a longitudinal axis and expanding the PETpreform along a transverse or radial axis to form a PET container. Thecombination promotes what manufacturers define as biaxial orientation ofthe molecular structure in the container. Manufacturers of PETcontainers currently use mechanical processing to produce PET containershaving approximately 20% crystallinity in the container's sidewall.

Thermal processing involves heating the material (either amorphous orsemi-crystalline) to promote crystal growth. On amorphous material,thermal processing of PET material results in a spherulitic morphologythat interferes with the transmission of light. In other words, theresulting crystalline material is opaque, and thus, generallyundesirable. Used after mechanical processing, however, thermalprocessing results in higher crystallinity and excellent clarity forthose portions of the container having biaxial molecular orientation.The thermal processing of an oriented PET container, which is known asheat setting, typically includes blow molding a PET preform against amold heated to a temperature of approximately 250° F.-350° F.(approximately 121° C.-177° C.), and holding the blown container againstthe heated mold for approximately two (2) to five (5) seconds.Manufacturers of PET juice bottles, which must be hot-filled atapproximately 185° F. (85° C.), currently use heat setting to producePET bottles having an overall crystallinity in the range ofapproximately 25% -35%.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

According to the principles of the present teachings, a container isprovided having systems for receiving an oxygen scavenging system, suchas a hydrogen generator and catalyst, disposed or otherwise incorporatedin components of the container. The container further comprises a systemfor providing at least a portion of the hydrogen generator and/orcatalyst in an area defined within the closure of the container forimproved performance.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary container incorporating thefeatures of the present teachings;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a closure according to someembodiments of the present teachings;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a closure according to someembodiments of the present teachings;

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a closure according to someembodiments of the present teachings having an insert member defining avaried topography;

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of a closure according to someembodiments of the present teachings having an insert member defining avaried topography;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a closure according to someembodiments of the present teachings having an insert member defining anelongated dimension;

FIGS. 6A-6H are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating variouscombinations of materials which may be used with the insert member ofthe present teachings;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a patch pad according to someembodiments of the present teachings connectable to a surface;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a patch pad according to someembodiments of the present teachings disposed in a closure member;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a patch pad according to someembodiments of the present teachings recessed in a closure member;

FIG. 10 is a top view of a patch pad according to some embodiments ofthe present teachings disposed on a combi-closure system;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a patch pad according to someembodiments of the present teachings disposed on a foil seal;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an additive insert member accordingto some embodiments of the present teachings incorporated into a foilseal;

FIG. 13 is a top view of a patch pad according to some embodiments ofthe present teachings incorporated into a foil seal;

FIG. 14 is a top view of an additive insert member according to someembodiments of the present teachings printed on a foil seal;

FIG. 15 is a top view of an additive insert member according to someembodiments of the present teachings printed on a combi-closure system;and

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of an additive insert member accordingto some embodiments of the present teachings in the form of a sealedcanister.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings. Example embodiments are provided so that thisdisclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to thosewho are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth suchas examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide athorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It willbe apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need notbe employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many differentforms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “engaged to”,“connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element orlayer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engagedto”, “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element orlayer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Otherwords used to describe the relationship between elements should beinterpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directlybetween,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notbe limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguishone element, component, region, layer or section from another region,layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numericalterms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region,layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”,“lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

This disclosure provides for a container being made of PET andincorporating a hydrogen generator and catalyst component. The containerof the present teachings controls and/or reduces the effect of oxygenpenetrating the container material and entering the commodity or fillcontained therein. The present teachings are directed to facilitatingthe generation of the molecular hydrogen in the hydrogen generator.

It should be appreciated that the size and specific configuration of thecontainer may not be particularly limiting and, thus, the principles ofthe present teachings can be applicable to a wide variety ofthermoplastic container shapes and system configurations. Therefore, itshould be recognized that variations can exist in the presentembodiments. That is, it should be appreciated that the teachings of thepresent disclosure can be used in a wide variety of thermoplasticcontainers, including reusable/disposable packages including resealableplastic bags, resealable containers, dried food containers (e.g., driedmilk), drug containers, and oxygen-sensitive chemical packaging.

Accordingly, the present teachings provide a plastic, e.g. polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), container generally indicated at 10. The exemplarycontainer 10 can be substantially elongated when viewed from a side.Those of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the followingteachings of the present disclosure are applicable to other containers,such as rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal,polygonal, or square shaped containers, which may have differentdimensions and volume capacities. It is also contemplated that othermodifications can be made depending on the specific application andenvironmental requirements.

In some embodiments, container 10 has been designed to retain acommodity. The commodity may be in any form such as a solid orsemi-solid product. In one example, a commodity may be introduced intothe container during a thermal process, typically a hot-fill process.For hot-fill bottling applications, bottlers generally fill thecontainer 10 with a product at an elevated temperature betweenapproximately 155° F. to 205° F. (approximately 68° C. to 96° C.) andseal the container 10 with a closure before cooling. In addition, theplastic container 10 may be suitable for other high-temperaturepasteurization or retort filling processes or other thermal processes aswell. In another example, the commodity may be introduced into thecontainer under ambient or cold temperatures.

As shown in FIG. 1, the exemplary plastic container 10 according to thepresent teachings defines a body 12, and includes an upper portion 14having a cylindrical sidewall 18 forming a finish 20. Integrally formedwith the finish 20 and extending downward therefrom is a shoulderportion 22. The shoulder portion 22 merges into and provides atransition between the finish 20 and a sidewall portion 24. The sidewallportion 24 extends downward from the shoulder portion 22 to a baseportion 28 having a base 30. In some embodiments, sidewall portion 24can extend down and nearly abut base 30, thereby minimizing the overallarea of base portion 28 such that there is not a discernable baseportion 28 when exemplary container 10 is uprightly-placed on a surface.

The exemplary container 10 may also have a neck 23. The neck 23 may havean extremely short height, that is, becoming a short extension from thefinish 20, or an elongated height, extending between the finish 20 andthe shoulder portion 22. The upper portion 14 can define an opening forfilling and dispensing of a commodity stored therein. Although thecontainer is shown as a drinking container, it should be appreciatedthat containers having different shapes, such as sidewalls and openings,can be made according to the principles of the present teachings.

The finish 20 of the exemplary plastic container 10 may include athreaded region 46 having threads 48, a lower sealing ridge 50, and asupport ring 51. The threaded region provides a means for attachment ofa similarly threaded closure or cap 100 (FIGS. 2-6, 8, and 9).Alternatives may include other suitable devices that engage the finish20 of the exemplary plastic container 10, such as a press-fit orsnap-fit cap or a combi-closure system, or induction welded to foil forexample. Accordingly, the closure or cap 100 engages the finish 20 topreferably provide a hermetical seal of the exemplary plastic container10. The closure or cap 100 is preferably of a plastic or metal materialconventional to the closure industry and suitable for subsequent thermalprocessing.

The container 10, of the present teachings, is directed to facilitatingthe generation of the molecular hydrogen in the hydrogen generator. Asis known, as described herein, some chemical reactions used for thegeneration of molecular hydrogen are predicated on the availability ofwater. Due to this need for water, in some embodiments, placement of thesodium borohydride and water in the container can be critical.Therefore, the present teachings provide apparatus and methods forproviding sufficient water for use in the generation of molecularhydrogen by the hydrogen generator.

In some embodiments, the hydrogen generator, perhaps in the form ofsodium borohydride, may be placed in a liner material disposed in theunderside of the closure. This may be a viable option with a linermaterial made from a polar material, such as EVA-based materials.However, it may be desirable when the liner material is made fromnon-polar liner materials, such as the styrenic rubber materials(SEBS/SIBS/SEPS).

The closure technology of today is progressing such that closures can beprovided in hot-fill or cold-fill applications without the need forinternal liners. In hot-fill applications, many of these new systemsemploy an inner bore seal to engage and seal the container along theinside diameter of the opening. Since these systems form an adequateseal without using a liner, the liner and/or liner area, typicallydefined by an area inside the closure, can be used for introducingsystem components for the hydrogen generator and/or catalyst.

With reference to FIG. 2, closure 100 is illustrated having an additiveinsert member 102 disposed in an underside 104 of closure 100.Generally, additive insert member 102 can comprise any one of a numberof desired component(s) of the hydrogen generator and/or catalyst.

Closure 100 can comprise, in some embodiments, a body portion 106 havinga top portion 108 and a circumferential, downwardly-extending sideportion 110. Threads 112 can be disposed on an inner side ofdownwardly-extending side portion 110 of closure 100 for threadinglyengaging corresponding threads 48 of finish 20 for sealing engagementtherewith. Closure 100 can further comprise a circumferential,inwardly-offset seal 114 downwardly-extending from underside 104 forengaging an inner diameter of finish 20 to provide improved sealingengagement therewith.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 2, additive insert member102 can be sized to fit within an area bound by the circumferential,inwardly-offset seal 114 and underside 104. Additive insert member 102can be molded in place, in some embodiments. Additive insert member 102can, thus, releases hydrogen without affecting the seal area of theclosure.

With reference to FIG. 3, in some embodiments additive insert member 102can be a punched-in liner or patch pad (discussed herein) containingdesired component(s) of the hydrogen generator and/or catalyst. Aretention feature 116 can be added along an inner side of thecircumferential, inwardly-offset seal 114 for retention of additiveinsert member 102. It should be understood that in some embodiments,additive insert member 102 can be mounted using any one of a number ofknown methods, including adhesives (such as EVA or maleic anhydride),press-fit, snap-fit, and the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, in some embodiments, surfacegeometries 118 of additive insert member 102 can be used to affect therate of hydrogen evolution from the closure liner. That is, in someembodiments, the increased surface area allows for more moisture to comeinto contact with the borohydride and thus releases more hydrogen at agiven time. By adjusting the liner surface area through shape, depth,and the like, the hydrogen evolution rate can be tailored for a givenpackage. Additionally, as seen in FIG. 5, the size and/or length ofcircumferential, inwardly-offset seal 114 can be modified to accommodatea larger additive insert member 102 to enable effective use of thetechnology in smaller diameter closures and/or increased capacity.

With reference to FIGS. 6A-6H, alternative closure and/or additiveinsert member 102 configurations are provided to permit variedperformance characteristics. It should be appreciated from the foregoingthat various layering techniques can be used to provide variedperformance, delayed activation, and the like.

With particular reference to FIGS. 7-9, it should be understood thatadditive insert member 102 can be in the form of a patch member 210.Patch member 210 can be appropriately sized and shaped to be applied orotherwise contained within the container 10 and/or closure 100. Moreparticularly, as illustrated in FIG. 7, patch member 210 can be anencapsulated pad or patch that is connectable, such as via molding,adhesive or other connection system, to the container 10 and/or closure100. Patch member 210 may comprise a barrier member 212 having aninterior volume 214 for receiving the additive insert member 102therein. In some embodiments, patch member 210 can comprise an adhesive216 disposed on a side 218 generally adjacent interior volume 214 topermit application of the patch member 210 to container 10 and/orclosure 100. Otherwise, patch member 210, having additive insert member102, can be disposed and connection to the container 10 and/or closure100 using other conventional methods or novel methods defined herein.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, patch member 210 can be applied to an interiorsurface of closure 100 such that patch member 210 is connected viaadhesive 216 to a standard closure liner 220. It should be appreciated,however, that standard closure liner 220 is optional and, thus, can beremoved such that patch member 210 is connected to closure 100 directly.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 9, patch member 210 cansimply comprise additive insert member 102 disposed within a recess orvolume 222 formed in closure 100. Specifically, closure 100 can bemolded such that a depression 222 is formed in an interior surfacethereof, such as the uppermost surface 224. Depression 222 can be sizedto receive additive insert member 102 therein such that a layer 226,such as a liner, can be molded over additive insert member 102 tocontain or otherwise encapsulated within closure 100.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 10, patch member 210 can beapplied to a combi-closure system type closure 100′. As is known,combi-system type closures typically employ a metallic central member240 and a plastic retaining ring member (not shown). According to thepresent teachings, patch member 210 can be affixed to the metalliccentral member 240 such that it is generally centrally placed relativeto central member 240 to permit and not otherwise impede the addedbarrier properties available from combi-closure systems.

Several containers available today employ an induction foil seal overthe finish of the container to hermetically seal the contents of thecontainer. In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 11-13, additiveinsert member 102 can be applied to the foil seal 300. Specifically, insome embodiments, additive insert member 102 can be part of patch member210 that is applied directly to foil seal 300. In this way, patch member210 can be adhesively bonded to foil seal 300. In some embodiments,patch member 210 can be coupled such that a multi-layer assembly 302 isdisposed adjacent patch member 210. Specifically, the patch member 210can be affixed such that patch member 210 is coupled to a first layer304, such as a weld material to PET finish; a second layer 306, such asa barrier layer; a third layer 308, such as foil; and a fourth layer310, such as a backing. However, in some embodiments, as illustrated inFIG. 12, additive insert member 102 can be incorporated and/orencapsulated such that it forms a multi-layer assembly having firstlayer 304, such as a weld material to PET finish; additive insert member102; a second layer 306, such as a barrier layer; a third layer 308,such as foil; and a fourth layer 310, such as a backing, respectively.In this way, additive insert member 102 can be incorporated directlyinto the manufacture of the foil sheet.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 13, in some embodiments, additiveinsert member 102 can be incorporated into a pull-tab type foil seal300, which is also known as a peel-and-toss type seal. Pull-tab typefoil seal 300 can comprise a peel and toss ring 302 coupled to a mainbody portion 304 at a ring overlap 306. Additive insert member 102 canbe applied or incorporated into foil seal 300 as described herein.Pull-tab type foil seal 300 can further comprise an outer ring 308disposed about the periphery thereof that bounds additive insert member102 and provides, in some embodiment, increased integrity of foil seal300 to ensure that upon removal the foil seal remains intact and doesnot cause accidental tearing or breach of additive insert member 102. Insome embodiments, additive insert member 102 can be applied as a spraycoating, patch member, printed, or the like.

With reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, in some embodiments, additive insertmember 102 can be printed upon the foil seal 300 (FIG. 14) and/orcombi-closure 100′ (FIG. 15). Specifically, in some embodiments,additive insert member 102 is printed upon the substrate using knownprinting techniques, such as ink jet printing, offset printing,silkscreening, and the like. It should be noted that other printingtechniques can be used wherein the components of additive insert member102 are prepared in liquid or powder form and thus suitable for printingusing common printing techniques. Through the application of additiveinsert member 102 to foil seal 300, the components of additive insertmember 102 are permitted to permeate through the appropriate barrierinto the headspace and/or commodity of the container. With regard to thecombi-closure 100′, it should be noted that additive insert member 102can be printed directly upon the metallic central member 240.

Finally, in some embodiments as illustrated in FIG. 16, additive insertmember 102 can be a canister or capsule 410. Canister 410 can comprisean enclosed structure, such as an enclosed cylinder, having additiveinsert member 102 contained therein. In some embodiments, additiveinsert member 102 can comprise a plurality of additive insert memberpellets 102′. Canister 410 can further comprise an adhesive 412, ifdesired, for mounting the canister 410 within container 10 and/orclosure 100. In some embodiments, canister 410 can be placed looselywithin the container 10. In some embodiments, canister 410 can bemounted to an interior bottom surface of container 10 and/or an interiorsurface of closure 100 using known sealing techniques such as ultrasonicwelding, heat sealing, induction sealing, or the like. In this way,canister 410 can be used to easily and conveniently convert an existingcontainer design to one having the benefits of the present teachings.Food grade markings can be placed on canister 410 to indicate thatadditive insert member 102 should not be eaten.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features ofa particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

1. A container comprising: a body having an interior volume; a closuremember engaging said body; a hydrogen generator generating molecularhydrogen; a catalyst catalyzing a chemical reaction between saidhydrogen and oxygen; and an insert member in communication with saidinterior volume, said insert member containing at least one of saidhydrogen generator, said catalyst, and a chemical component for chemicalreaction with either said hydrogen generator or said catalyst.
 2. Thecontainer according to claim 1 wherein said closure member defines aninner bore, said insert member being coupled within said inner bore. 3.The container according to claim 2 wherein said insert member isadhesively coupled to at least one of said body and said closure member.4. The container according to claim 2 wherein said insert member issnap-fit to at least one of said body and said closure member.
 5. Thecontainer according to claim 2 wherein said insert member is welded toat least one of said body and said closure member.
 6. The containeraccording to claim 1 wherein said insert member is a patch pad having abarrier member and at least one of said hydrogen generator, saidcatalyst, and said chemical component, said patch pad being connected toat least one of said body and said closure member.
 7. The containeraccording to claim 6 wherein said patch pad is disposed within a recessformed within said closure member.
 8. The container according to claim 7wherein said patch pad is overmolded with a liner layer.
 9. Thecontainer according to claim 6 wherein said patch pad is disposed upon aliner layer of said closure member.
 10. The container according to claim1 wherein said closure member is a foil seal and said insert member isencapsulated therein.
 11. The container according to claim 1 whereinsaid closure member is a foil seal and said insert member is printedthereon.
 12. The container according to claim 1 wherein said closuremember is a foil seal and said insert member is formed therewith, saidfoil seal having a pull tab and a circumferential ring.
 13. Thecontainer according to claim 1 wherein said insert member is printedupon at least one of said body and said closure member.
 14. Thecontainer according to claim 1 wherein said closure member is acombi-closure system and said insert member is disposed upon a metalliccentral member of said combi-closure system.
 15. The container accordingto claim 1 wherein said insert member is a canister.
 16. The containeraccording to claim 1 wherein said insert member is a lamination having abarrier member and at least one of said hydrogen generator, saidcatalyst, and said chemical component, said lamination being connectedto at least one of said body and said closure member.
 17. The containeraccording to claim 16 wherein said lamination is disposed within arecess formed within said closure member.
 18. The container according toclaim 17 wherein said lamination is overmolded with a liner layer. 19.The container according to claim 16 wherein said lamination is disposedupon a liner layer of said closure member.
 20. The container accordingto claim 16 wherein said closure member is a foil and said lamination islaminated to said foil.
 21. The container according to claim 16 whereinsaid closure member is a foil and said lamination is coupled to saidfoil.
 22. A container comprising: a body having an interior volume; ahydrogen generator generating molecular hydrogen; a catalyst catalyzinga chemical reaction between said hydrogen and oxygen; and an insertmember in communication with said interior volume of said body, saidinsert member containing at least one of said hydrogen generator, saidcatalyst, and a chemical component for chemical reaction with eithersaid hydrogen generator or said catalyst.